Black Banded Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia nigrans
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Black-banded Rainbowfish can be found in rainforest streams, lily lagoons and small estuaries that flow through the swampy environments of the northern parts of Australia. While it is known that the Black-banded Rainbowfish prefers habitat located near the ocean, they have been collected 130km (80 miles) from the sea.
Specifically, we know that Melanotaenia nigrans populations occur in Napier Broome of Western Australia, Groote Eylandt of the northernmost tips of the Northern Territory and Cape York Peninsula.
PH: 5.5 – 7
Temperature: 22°C -25°C (72 – 77F)
Hardness: 4- 13gDH
Description: These uniquely slender rainbowfish can be expected to grow between 9 cm (3.54 inch) and 11 cm (4.33 inch). Black Banded Rainbowfish present a greyish brown back with white lower sides. In typical Melanotaenia fashion, the Black Banded Rainbowfish are striking in their dark mid-lateral stripe. This spectacular decoration is more present in the males, who will be larger and more colourful than the females. You can expect to have this eye-catching specimen to have an aquarium life expectancy of 3-5 years.
Diet: Melanotaenia nigrans is an easy feeder as it accepts all foods willingly. For best health and breeding potential, offer a high quality flake product and live food treats such as brine shrimp and white worms.
Breeding: By replicating the rainy season of its natural environment, you have a better chance of successfully breeding your Black Banded Rainbowfish population. This means creating a higher water level, softer and more acidic water, a huge increase of live food and a few more hours of sunlight exposure early in the morning.
Set up a separate breeding tank filled with dense vegetation like java moss or artificial spawning mops. Keep the water at the higher end of the recommended range and the eggs will hatch in a week. It is advisable to move the spawning medium into a different container to avoid predation.
Comments: Keep these passive species of Rainbowfish in either a community aquarium of other small and peaceful fishes or in a species aquarium. As they are naturally a schooling fish, make sure you keep at least six companions in the tank. As with other rainbowfish varieties, they thrive in a well-planted tank with an abundant of open swimming areas and hiding spots.
In the wild, Melanotaenia nigrans steer clear of powerful currents so mimic this in their aquarium habitats for best results.
Tip: It has been known for some aquarium shops to sell a closely related species, the Melanotaenia duboulayi, while claiming they were selling Melanotaenia nigrans. To avoid this, do your research and only buy from reputable sellers.
Article/Books:
Culturing Live Foods: A Step-By-Step Guide to Producing Food for Your Home Aquarium
Setting up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week
Today’s Essential Guide to Growing Aquarium Plants: The Aquamaster Series
Recommended Compatible Species:
Rainbowfish are a great community species in terms of their temperament and therefore live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platy and most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. One thing you should take into consideration when housing rainbows with these recommended species is the water quality. Temperature and Hardness are similar but P.H. can be quite different, although it is not ideal, if you keep your water at a P.H. of 7 this should keep your community happy.
Rainbowfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups consisting of at least six individuals, preferably no less than 10-15. Mix it up with enough females to give them a rest when the males are on the chase, but provide enough males to bring out their vibrant colours when they are in competition for female attention. Whilst this is beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the fish, a large school is rewarding for the aquarist because a school of iridescent Rainbowfish is more dramatic to the eye than a few shy fish peeking out from behind dense vegetation.
